Benefits on having a Hybrid Company car in the UK

As a car driver we are seeing the push for Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption by governments and councils with the creation of Low Emission Zones (LEV) and vehicle manufacturers phasing out combustion engines in the decades ahead. If a company car is within your remuneration package or, in some instances, larger organisations have salary sacrifice schemes. But for now, focussing on company car users, transitioning to EV or Hybrid is a serious consideration for a company car driver, so how do we balance the benefits?

Benefits for Employees:

  1. Convenience and Mobility: Having a hybrid company car provides employees with the convenience of personal transportation, allowing them to commute to work and travel for business purposes efficiently. It eliminates the need to rely on public transport or private vehicles, reducing commute time and offering flexibility.
  2. Cost Savings: Hybrid cars are known for their improved fuel efficiency, which can result in significant cost savings for employees. Employees can save money on fuel expenses with lower fuel consumption, especially for long-distance commuting or business travel.
  3. Environmental Sustainability: Hybrid cars produce fewer emissions and lower carbon footprint than traditional petrol-powered vehicles. By driving a hybrid company car, employees can contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, thus promoting a greener lifestyle.
  4. Tax Incentives: In the UK, tax incentives and benefits are associated with driving hybrid vehicles. Employees may enjoy reduced or exempted taxes, lower vehicle tax rates, and potentially lower company car tax (Benefit-in-Kind) due to the lower carbon emissions of hybrid cars. These tax advantages can lead to increased net income for employees.
  5. Enhanced Job Satisfaction: Providing employees with a hybrid company car demonstrates an employer's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance. It can contribute to higher job satisfaction and employee retention rates, as it offers a valuable perk that improves employees' overall quality of life.

Benefits for Employers:

  1. Employer Branding and Attracting Talent: Offering hybrid company cars as an employee benefit enhances an employer's brand image as an environmentally responsible and forward-thinking organisation. This can help attract top talent who prioritise sustainability and seek employers with eco-friendly initiatives.
  2. Employee Productivity: Hybrid company cars can increase employee productivity. By providing reliable transportation, employers can ensure employees arrive at work on time, reducing the stress and potential delays associated with relying on public transport or private vehicles. This can lead to improved punctuality and overall productivity.
  3. Cost Control and Savings: Hybrid cars may have a higher upfront cost than traditional vehicles, but they can result in long-term cost savings for employers. Hybrid cars typically have lower fuel expenses, reduced maintenance costs, and potential tax benefits. Additionally, employers may be eligible for government grants or incentives for investing in low-emission vehicles.
  4. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Embracing hybrid vehicles aligns with an organisation's CSR objectives. It demonstrates a commitment to reducing environmental impact, aligning with sustainable business practices, and meeting carbon emission reduction targets. This can enhance the company's reputation, stakeholder relationships, and social impact.
  5. Regulatory Compliance: Many countries, including the UK, have regulations and targets for reducing carbon emissions. By incorporating hybrid company cars into their fleet, employers can ensure compliance with these regulations, avoiding penalties or fines associated with high-emission vehicles. This proactive approach demonstrates responsible corporate citizenship.

Overall, adopting hybrid company cars in the UK in 2023 benefits both employees and employers, offering employees convenience, cost savings, and environmental advantages while providing employers with improved branding, cost control, and environmental sustainability.

Challenge of Substation Auxiliary Power Supply

The Benefits of Permanent Partial Discharge (PD) Monitoring for Gas-Insulated-Switchgear & Power Transformers

Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) is a crucial component of electrical power systems, providing a compact and reliable solution for controlling and distributing electricity. To ensure the reliable operation of GIS, permanent partial discharge (PPD) monitoring plays a vital role. Here are five key benefits of implementing PPD monitoring for gas-insulated switchgear:

  1. Early Detection of Insulation Defects: PPD monitoring allows for the early detection of insulation defects within the GIS. Partial discharges are localised electrical discharges that occur within the insulation materials, indicating potential weaknesses or faults. Any abnormalities can be detected early by continuously monitoring and analysing PPD signals, enabling timely maintenance or repair actions.
  2. Preventing Catastrophic Failures: Insulation defects, if left undetected and unaddressed, can lead to catastrophic failures in gas-insulated switchgear. These failures can result in power outages, equipment damage, and even safety hazards. PPD monitoring helps prevent such failures by providing real-time insights into the condition of the insulation, allowing for proactive maintenance and minimising the risk of unexpected breakdowns.
  3. Optimised Maintenance Strategies: Traditional maintenance practices for gas-insulated switchgear often involve periodic inspections or time-based maintenance schedules. However, these approaches may lead to unnecessary maintenance or overlook critical issues. PPD monitoring enables condition-based maintenance, where maintenance activities are planned based on the actual condition of the insulation. This approach optimises maintenance strategies, reduces downtime, and extends the lifespan of the GIS equipment.
  4. Improved Asset Management: PPD monitoring facilitates better asset management for gas-insulated switchgear. Continuous monitoring of the insulation condition collects valuable data on partial discharge activity over time. This data can be analysed to gain insights into the overall health and performance of the GIS equipment, identify trends, and help make informed decisions regarding asset maintenance, replacement or upgrades. This proactive approach enhances the reliability and efficiency of the power system.
  5. Enhanced Safety and Reliability: PPD monitoring significantly enhances the safety and reliability of gas-insulated switchgear installations. By actively monitoring and managing insulation defects, the risk of electrical faults, arc flash incidents, and equipment failures is minimised. This ensures the uninterrupted supply of electricity, reduces the potential for accidents, and improves overall system reliability.

In conclusion, permanent partial discharge monitoring for gas-insulated switchgear offers several significant benefits. From early defect detection and preventing catastrophic failures to optimised maintenance strategies, improved asset management, and enhanced safety and reliability, PPD monitoring is a valuable tool for ensuring the efficient operation of GIS installations.

At ITL we provide PPD solutions, or if you are looking for just an on-site substation/transformer PD survey, we got you covered. Just reach out to one of our team, and we will be happy to help.

Can you use a LV CT in MV & HV Environment?

Can a Low Voltage Current Transformer (CT) be used in a Medium or High Voltage application? Surprisingly, it is a question we get a few times a year and thought it would be beneficial to put this out.

Firstly we must understand the configuration of the switchgear. For example, if the switchgear has a system voltage of 12kV and the CT will be installed on the bare busbars in the medium voltage section. Then yes you will need a CT that's fully rated, and generally, that's where the thought & decision process ends.

But let us dig a little deeper. If the CT is to be installed directly on medium voltage busbars, accordingly it must have an insulation level at least equal to that of the system/cubicle. However, if installing a CT on the medium voltage cable (which is already insulated), in this case, the CT can be a low voltage type (e.g. insulation level 0.72kV) as the cable provides the medium voltage insulation. It is this element that is missed by design engineers and as a result, adds unnecessary cost to the switchgear.

Another scenario is a neutral current transformer, typically on outdoor installations where the CT needs to be installed on an MV or HV system but on the neutral circuit. As such, it will not see the higher MV & HV voltages, so it's possible to use a lower insulation rating for the current transformer. It is critical to note on an MV or HV system were the CT will see "line voltage". Then a fully rated insulated current transformer will be required.

Got more questions about your specific requirement or maybe just a general inquiry, reach out to us at technical@itl-uk.com where one of our highly skilled engineers will assist or check-in on chat at our website https://itl-uk.com or directly with the link https://app.purechat.com/w/ITL-Chat

We look forward to being of service to you soon.